Come out to see a Donald Margulies play about an unsuccessful writer who hits his big break when his autobiography becomes a best-seller. As his fame begins to take over his public life, his personal life suffers, including his relationships with his family, friends, and his wife.

Santa Barbara County Arts Commission presents an exhibition focusing on fragmentation and what it reveals of our lives. The local artists featured include Sky Bergman, Steve Cushman, David Brown, Rebecca Erbstoesser, Nat Fast, James Hapke, Ian Hassett, Alissa Massey, Libby Smith, Patrick Trimbath and Seyburn Zorthian. Explore this exhibition at the Betteravia Government Center in Santa Maria.

Works by local artists are on view for this annual competition put on by Santa Barbara County Arts Commission. Juried this year by distinguished printmaker Paul Mullowney, who received his training at Crown Point Press in San Francisco where he became master printer in the early nineties, working with top artists such as John Cage, Richard Diebenkorn and Francesco Clemente. Mullowney founded Tokugenji Press in Nara, Japan and was founding director of HuiPress in Maui, Hawaii, where he collaborated with Sandow Birk, Swoon, Judy Pfaff, Joyce Kozloff, Robert Kushner, Artemio Rodriguez and others.

Startup Weekend is an intense 54 hour event which focuses on building a web or mobile application which could form the basis of a credible business over the course of a weekend. The weekend brings together people with different skill sets – primarily software developers, graphic, web and user experience designers, and business people – to build applications and develop a commercial case around them.

The Ventura County Agriculture Museum exhibits rare photographs and historical written/oral accounts of a time before automobiles ruled the streets, when it was up to the horses and mules of the county to get the job done. See how these four-legged animals drove the industries of agriculture, oil, and railroads before our present-day technology.

The Calle Real Shopping Center between Patterson and Fairview Avenues will transform into a “nonprofit” showcase. Festivities include music, entertainment, balloon animals, a fire truck from the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, food, animal rescue and adoptions, and more. To learn more about the event or how you can get involved with one of the participating nonprofit organizations, call 805/886-5348.

The Granada transforms into the world’s most famous opera house as Vox Lumiere dares to unmask the secrets of the Phantom, where rock concert comes together with theater and classic silent film for a spellbinding performance of modern theatrical magic.

During Environmental Defense Center’s biggest fundraiser of the year, enjoy an afternoon at the historic Stow House indulging in hors d’oeuvres, wine, music, auctions and a short program featuring the presentation of EDC’s ENVI Award.

AWC-SB will once again honor two women who have touched many local lives with their communication skills, one very publicly and the other in a quieter but no less powerful way. From Breaking News to Awakening the Muse is the theme for the 2012 Women of Achievement Awards,honoring award-winning anchorwoman Paula Lopez and poetry therapist Perie Longo.

This local eclectic band plays their “annual-ish” Spring Sing with a distinctive melting-pot sound, coalescing jazz, European, avant-Americana, Braziliana, rock, soul, and just about any other genre you can think of.

An homage to collages, Just Put it Together showcases the process and detail that goes into combining different elements into artful pieces. Sidney Gordon’s half-century of process-oriented artwork will be on display, from his early Abstract Expressionist period to his wooden pieces to his Bay Area collection.

Santa Barbara Museum of Art becomes an unconventional theater/screening room as both live and filmed performances roll out in the back plaza. From 5–8 p.m., take a spin through the Behind the Wheel exhibition, and then hitch a ride with the accommodating actors appearing in car theater, where three original plays short are performed in an actual automobile, with actors and audience sharing the imaginary road trips. At 8 p.m., the back plaza becomes a summer screening room for American Graffiti.

Contemporary Arts Forum welcomes LA-based artist Cindy Derby to the Forum Lounge, where she combines a mix of stop-motion animation, intricate puppetry and handcrafted scenic elements to create an existential narrative told through the perspective of Edward the skeleton.

One-of-a-kind jewelry pieces by Eileen Avolio and Kaori Hirsch will be featured for this month’s 1st Thursday Santa Barbara Downtown Art Walk. The event will take place in La Arcada Courtyard, with performances by The Blue Moon Quartet. Call 805/722-4338 or visit www.studioencanto.com for more information.

The renowned Ojai Music Festival brings together a community of artists in residence for a journey of adventurous music making and discovery with an engaged audience. Held in locations throughout Ojai, the 66th annual festival explores the musical interests and celebrates the artistic collaborations of music director Leif Ove Andsnes, one of today’s foremost pianists.

June 8, 8 p.m. Family Flick Night: The Muppets

Bring the whole family out to see a free movie at La Cumbre Plaza! You’ll need your lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and favorite snacks for this free showing of The Muppets.

June 8-9, 8 p.m. Synergy

The Fusion Dance Company presents Synergy, a showcase directed by Kara Stewart.

June 9, 7:30 p.m. A Midsummer Night’s Dream

The Montecito School of Ballet presents an original version of the ballet adapted from William Shakespeare’s play. Guest artists for the performance include Santa Barbara Dance Theatre member Tracy Kofford, Montecito School of Ballet graduate Carisa Cope and dancers from UCSB and Santa Barbara City College.

Farr Ligvani explores the balancing of opposing forces in his Synthesis Series at the Museum of Ventura County. Ligvani works to reconcile the opposition of Eastern and Western cultures in modern society through texture and abstract shapes.

Animals are the Featured Creatures in the Museum of Ventura County’s summer exhibition. This look at wildlife represented in the museum’s collection includes rarely seen specimens from a tradition in which museums displayed taxidermied animals as examples of local fauna. Making their appearance again are a black bear, mountain lion, bobcat, and fox, as well as birds as big as the California Condor and as small as the Hooded Oriole. The mounted animals are paired with art and artifacts relating to California’s wildlife.

June 9, 12-5 p.m. Thomas Kelsey Book Signing

After spending 25 years as an award-winning photojournalist at the Los Angeles Times, Rocky Mountain News in Denver, CO, and the Press Enterprise in Riverside, CA, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara native Thomas Kelsey attended an Ansel Adams workshop in 1981 that changed his focus forever. Spending time with Adams led Kelsey to his true passion of capturing the beauty of wildlife and landscapes which he continues to pursue to this day. Kelsey will be signing his book The Spirit of the West, representing more than 35 years of wildlife photography in the backcountry of 10 different Western states.

This deliciously creative festival brings together new and notable performers on the jazz scene, along with 27 local wineries offering tastings and 30 amateur chefs competing in the “Olive in the Kitchen” cook-off while providing samples to guests. Olive vendors offer olive oil and other olive-related products.

Since 1972, SBWC has given its writers an oasis of time, place and focus needed to hone their craft, confab with other writers and connect their work with agents and publishers. The conference offers classes in every imaginable genre, as well as the business side of writing. Guest speakers include Fannie Flagg, Dorothy Allison, Gar Anthony Haywood, Miles Corwin and Christopher Buckley.

June 9, 10 a.m.- 12 noon Children’s Art Class

Emily Falke, Curator and Director of Exhibits at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, will be teaching a series of art classes for children this summer. Call Emily at 805/962-8404 x111 for more information.

The Museum of Ventura County invites the community to bring the whole family to a live animal show and learn about animals native to California. The presentation, put on by The Nature of Wildworks, features a skunk, owl, opossum, hawk, fox and reptiles. Best suited for children ages 8 to 11. For more information, go to www.venturamuseum.org or call 805/653-0323.

Discover New Orleans culture with this performance of gypsy jazz, a musical genre that originated among “musette” ensembles in France. Swing by an hour early for an enlightening preconcert discussion on the origins of this eclectic genre and the guitarist Django Reinhart, often called the King of Gypsy Jazz.

In conjunction with the exhibition “Carefree California: Cliff May and the Romance of the Ranch House,” is a reading from the new book, Piecing Together Los Angeles, the first collection of writings by the renowned architectural historian Esther McCoy (1904-89). From fiction for The New Yorker to seminal essays on new architectural forms, McCoy charted the design-driven optimism of postwar Los Angeles, articulating the concepts and vibrant character of West Coast modernism as it was being created. Writer and anthology editor Susan Morgan will read selections from the book and discuss McCoy’s vital role in shaping our awareness of Southern California’s architectural heritage.

The event attracts 80 corporate sponsors and 750 guests and sells out every year. Guests gather at Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort for the largest business event of the year on the South Coast. The event begins with networking at a cocktail reception in the Plaza Del Sol followed by an elegant dinner and awards program in the Ballroom.

Ensemble Theatre Company presents Frank Higgins’ heartfelt play, which tells the story of a song collector for the Library of Congress who travels the country seeking little-known melodies and encounters Pearl in a Texas prison, where she discovers dozens of musical treasures in the African tradition. Together, the two women form a bond that transcends race, class and culture.

For the length of summer, Santa Cruz artist Kathleen Crocetti will exhibit ten of her sculptures (including three over ten feet across) throughout the Botanic Garden. Crocetti’s exhibit showcases stained-glass murals and sculptures, all inspired by California landscapes and native plants.

Mixing world music, folk and jazz, Rose and the Nightingale, a New York quartet, performs among the stunning beauty of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. Enjoy wine, hors d’oeuvres and an intimate artist reception as whiffs of spring blooms surround you.

A great way to kick off summer, this three-day concert and camping event held every year on Fathers’ Day weekend features the Grammy Award-winning Indigo Girls and more than 15 other main stage acts that represent genres ranging from folk, blues and bluegrass to zydeco, Latin, jazz and even Chinese classical music. Additional performers include Rebirth Brass Band, Carolyn Wonderland, John Doe and James McMurtry.

June 15, 8 p.m. Family Flick Night: Back to the Future

Bring the whole family out to see a free movie at La Cumbre Plaza! You’ll need your lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and favorite snacks for this free showing of Back to the Future. The kids will love this classic eighties flick and you’ll remember why you fell in love with Marty McFly all those years ago.

A Grammy Award-winning musician and a New York Times Best Seller combine forces to present KIN, a record full of collaboration and artistic mastery. Crowell and Karr debut their barely two-week-old record with the help of Steuart Smith, multi-talented musician and vocalist currently working with the Eagles.

June 16-17 Rose & the Nightingale: The Spirit of the Garden

A New York City-based quartet of vocalists and instrumentalists, Rose & the Nightingale will perform their current concert, “The Spirit of the Garden,” a mixture of world music, folk, art song and jazz improvisation. The program combines poetry about gardens with lyrics on the nexus of spirituality and nature for an incredible, unforgettable performance. Times: June 16 at 8 p.m. and June 17 at 2 p.m. For more information, call 805/963-0408 or visit www.centerstagetheater.org.

Grammy Award winner Rodney Crowell and New York Times bestselling author Mary Karr play selections from their new album collaboration KIN. Crowell says, “I called out to her in the darkness because she was a bonafide poet I knew could write songs, and despite her professor’s pedigree, she’d ridden a bike in a mosquito truck’s fog.” Karr’s response: “An outlaw pedigree isn’t always a disadvantage for a poet…this record’s about everybody.” Indeed, given that the record features recordings by Lucinda Williams, Norah Jones, Vince Gill and Kris Kristofferson, among others, we can’t wait to see what this duo does onstage.

Twist & Shout is the definitive Beatles experience played by brilliant musicians with an inherent understanding of why The Beatles will forever be the most beloved and respected rock band in history. Beginning with the early hits, colored with film clips from the 60’s, Twist & Shout will immerse you in a complete experience from a band that look and sound like the real deal, without smoke and mirrors (or pre-recorded tracks). By the time they hit Abbey Road you’ll be completely in awe.

Each June, 140 gifted young classical singers and instrumentalists, selected entirely for their talent, gather for eight weeks in Santa Barbara to study and make music with illustrious guest artists, conductors, and faculty, to the delight of participating audiences.

Come to this festival and enjoy the Arts and Crafts Show, eat at our delicious Food Booths, visit the Commercial Center and listen to all the great musical talent this festival has to offer!

June 20, 8 p.m. Our Divided Political Heart: The Battle for the American Idea in an Age of Discontent

Come to the Walter H. Capps Center at UCSB to hear this free event where E.J. Dionne Jr. argues that under our political impasse is a lost sense of national balance. This reflects a loss of historical memory, and we Americans cannot agree about who we are because we disagree about who we have been.

Kick off the Fiesta festivities early with a festive evening of fun, food, music and dancing. Stroll the beautiful historical gardens of Rancho La Patera and Stow House to sample food from local restaurants, with award-winning local wineries and bars also on-site. Enjoy performances by Spanish guitarist Tony Ybarra, Junior Spirit and Spirit of Fiesta. End the evening with dancing under the stars to popular local cover band Area 51.

The Eleos Foundation is hosting an event about early stage impact investing. The discussion highlights stories about the market-based solutions within Eleos Kenya Investors Fund LLC, with an emphasis on eradicating extreme poverty.

June 21, 5:30–7:30 p.m. Walk to End Alzheimer’s Kickoff Party!

Come to the Kickoff Party at Oreana Winery and meet others who also strive to live in a world without Alzheimer’s disease. For more information call 805/892-4259.

June 21, 7 p.m. Diving in High Definition: A Film Presentation with Tom Campbell

Come down to the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum to see a presentation by Tom Campbell, an underwater cinematographer. Watch two short films and hear Campbell discuss his career in diving and the path that led him to where he is today. To Register call 805/962-8404, x115.

June 22, 8 p.m. Lompoc Flower Festival-Glen Templeton Performs Live

Country music artist Glen Templeton is back out at radio with his new single, “Sing That Song Again” and will be coming to Lompoc, CA.

Join thousands of visitors as they celebrate the longest day of the year with live bands, theatrical entertainment, craft and food vendors, a drum circle and kids’ activities. The 38th annual Solstice festivities kick off with a Friday evening event at Alameda Park followed by the extravagant and whimsical parade (the theme for 2012 is “Fantasy”) on Saturday afternoon and more festivities on Sunday.

What would happen if an alien from the Plane of Love dropped into a prison yard and thought he landed in heaven? Find out and see prison like you never have before at Planet of Love, directed by Molly Williams Stuckey and with music by The Beatles. Showing on June 22 at 7:00 p.m., June 23 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., and June 24 at 2:00 p.m. For more information call 805/963-0408, or click here.

Featuring over 100 vendors boasting bundles upon bundles of lavender products, the Ojai Valley Lavender Festival will exhibit the best of the area’s local crops, including plenty of lavender, pixie tangerines and Mediterranean products (thanks to the large olive crops in the area). Enjoy music, food, and the relaxing scents of lavender-everything.

Trinity Backstage features a lineup of local songwriters who donate their talents for this fundraiser to benefit Trinity Church, the venue that has generously hosted this intimate acoustic concert series for the past ten years.

Larry Rachleff will transform 100 instrumental Fellows from around the world–in just six days–into an impressive orchestra. Presented by Music Academy of the West. For tickets, visit http://granadasb.org.

This two-day event offers an exciting test of speed, skill and endurance for mountain bike enthusiasts of all levels, with more than $15,000 in prizes and cash. Loosely based on WRC Auto Rally and European MTB enduros, this event features predominantly downhill timed special stages linked together by non-timed liaison stages. Each rider completes the courses on the same bike without shuttles or lifts, riding along through checkpoints to the start of each timed special stage. Held at The Dirt Club near Los Olivos, a private location for mountain biking enthusiasts to enjoy their sport in a safe location completely removed from other trail users.

Celebrating Household Ink’s 25th anniversary, this concert showcases Australian singer/songwriter Natalie D-Napoleon, whose CD Leaving Me Dry is being released stateside by Household Ink. Headless Household will open for the Aussie.

The first salon of this summer series will be held at Just Folk gallery in Summerland. This is an exciting opportunity to walk through the entire gallery and discuss Outsider Art in a close setting with co-owner Susan Baerwald and Brooke Davis Anderson, deputy director of LACMA.

June 25, 4:45 p.m. Building Caregiver Resilience

Jodi House and Coast Caregiver Resource Center present a free presentation for friends and families of traumatic brain injury, stroke (or other acquired brain injury) survivors. The event takes place at the Jodi House Brain Injury Support Center. For more information call 805/962-3600.

June 26, 6:30- 8:30 p.m. Shop For A Cause!

Spend an evening at one of Santa Barbara’s cutest new boutiques, Blue Jeans Bar and help benefit Jodi House Brain Injury Support Center. All jeans are 10% off and 10% of all sales benefit Jodi House, which provides high-qualities services to brain injury survivors and their loved ones. Get the perfect pair of jeans, enjoy the complimentary beer, wine, and appetizers, all while helping Jodi House.

June 27 Boot Camp for Women Speakers

Come join other women and learn the “tricks of the trade” from a professional speaker. Learn new motivating ways to promote yourself. This one-day workshop is located at the Bacara Hotel, Resort and Spa. It costs $349.00 and lunch is provided.

A Child of Vision Productions presents the Jones family as they try to escape the curse from which they thought they had been set free. The sins of the father had been erased, but the curse is threatening Cindy! Will the grandmother’s prayers be enough to save her?

To kick off this summer concert series, Los Pinguos will be performing a special mix of Latin rhythms, Spanish guitars and harmonized vocals. Grab your blanket and your picnic basket and don’t miss these Latin sensations.

June 28, 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Speed Dating

Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is hosting a night of speed dating for single people over the age of 25. Don’t miss this chance to meet your match! For more information, call Emily at 805/962-8404 x111. To sign up, call 805/962-8404 x115.

Free movies on Stearns Wharf. Dress warmly and bring your blankets and beach chairs. Popcorn and movie snacks will be available for purchase. Parking on the wharf is free after 7 p.m., movies start at dusk.

Dedicated to promoting athletic and recreational activity within all ages and abilities, the nonprofit group Semana Nautica hosts its 75th annual event this year. Some of the sports include swimming, volleyball, fishing, inline hockey and the unforgettable Krazy Kardboard Kayak race. Join in the action or come out to support the competitors.

Explore the grounds of Carpinteria Valley Museum of History as vendors offer antiques, vintage clothing, rare books and more. It’s the perfect opportunity to shop while supporting the museum. Also July 28 and August 25.

June 30, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Pet Adoption at Lemos

Local nonprofit C.A.R.E.4Paws will host a fun-filled doggie adoption event at one of Carpinteria’s favorite pet stores, Lemos Feed & Supply (4945 Carpinteria Avenue), on Saturday June 30 from 10am to 3pm.The event will feature some of the Santa Barbara County shelter’s most amazing doggie pals looking for forever and temporary foster homes. Lemos will also offer specials on pet supplies for anyone who adopts a shelter pup. A team of experienced C.A.R.E.4Paws and county shelter volunteers will be on hand to offer valuable information and tips about the dogs.

Warren Jones is a Musical America Collaborative Pianist of the Year award winner and director of the Academy’s Vocal Piano Program. He will offer discussions and lessons on the hidden musical relationships between singer and pianist, music and text, performer and audience.

Whether through the soul of southern Gospel, 70s funk, blues, reggae or straightforward rock and roll, Harper and his trademark Weissenborn guitar are guaranteed to stun audiences with incendiary live performances and timeless songwriting.

Wesley Anderegg’s sculptures, on view at Elverhøj Museum in Solvang, speak of everyday life and society in imaginary ways through which people connect to the real world. His art embodies the archetypal struggle between mind and matter, reason and fear, giving an expression to the human condition. “I have always been a people watcher,” says Anderegg, a resident of the San Ynez area. “In the first grade, I did not play with the other kids. I stood back and watched. And I have been watching ever since.”

Additional Pages

Santa Barbara Seasons is a resource for locals and visitors alike with lush visuals, engaging features and invaluable information on events, fundraisers, retail and culinary happenings. Every issue includes handy maps, restaurant and winery listings and a guide to the county's top destinations. Be prepared to discover something new about the region as we cover businesses and projects off the beaten track as well as the classic favorites. To advertise or subscribe, contact the publisher at 805/564-8804 ext. 203 or Brian.Kramer@Sbseasons.com.